Woman gets $1.5 million after trial

Her dad repeatedly molested her as a child

Twice, pastor refused to call police, so crimes continued

Minister still heads a Sacramento area congregation today

Victim begs employers & adults: “When kids report abuse, do something!”

WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, a woman who was repeatedly molested as a child will
--- announce that a judge awarded her $1.3 million last week for the abuse she suffered,
--- urge others who may have been hurt by any child molester to come forward,
--- publicly expose a minister who twice ignored her reports of abuse during childhood, and
--- urge employers and other adults in responsible positions to respond quickly when accusations of child molestation surface.

WHEN
Thursday, Nov. 12th, 1:15 p.m.

WHERE
On the sidewalk outside the downtown Sacramento police station, 915 I (‘eye’) Street

WHO
The victim, her Sacramento attorney, and one-two members of a support group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org)

VISUALS
She will provide copies of her lawsuit and the judge’s decree and a photo of the predator.

DETAILS
Last week a Sacramento judge awarded $1.5 million to Jeanne Schreib. For six years, she was repeatedly molested by her adoptive father and twice, a minister ignored her reports of the crimes.

In May 1997, Schreib, then 27 years old, filed a civil lawsuit against her adoptive dad, Gale Morgan, for child sexual abuse. At the trial in July, Schreib testified that, from ages 8-14, Morgan repeatedly molested her. On October 13th, a judge found Morgan guilty of the crimes.

At age 13, Schreib told her next door neighbor, Pastor Glenn Vance, that she was being molested by her dad. At trial, Vance testified that he did not believe her and that he had spoken to Morgan who allegedly denied any improper conduct.

Two years later, while at a summer camp, Schreib confided in a staff person that she had been molested by her dad. Vance was again contacted and told of her abuse report. Vance assured the camp staff that the matter was being addressed. But he did not report the accusation to any authority or take any other step to protect others.

At trial, Morgan’s lawyers tried to use Schreib’s embezzlement conviction to undermine her credibility and claimed she came forward to late to sue. But the judge found that Schreib realized she was psychologically injured by the abuse after she was arrested for embezzlement.

Of the award, $225,000 was for punitive damages and $1,120,625 was for compensatory damages. (Prejudgment interest and costs will bring Schreib's total award to $1,569,986.)

Schreib was represented by Sacramento attorney Joseph C. George (916 442 7100, 916 802 7949 cell) who is also a psychologist. Morgan was represented by Sacramento attorney Michael Wise (916 498 1776).

Schreib now lives in Auburn and is unemployed. Morgan, a retired engineer, lives in Lincoln and restores antique guns. Vance pastors The Salt Mine of Vine Life Ministries church in Lincoln (916-645-0160, glen@thesaltminelincoln.com). Vance was Morgan’s pastor, neighbor and tenant.

CONTACT
David Clohessy 314 566 9790
Nancy Sloan 707 631 7654